"And I got to know Red Foley well. And I got to know Lefty really well, he was a great guy"

Mel Tillis was a country music singer and songwriter who was active in the music industry from the 1950s to the 2000s. In this quote, he is speaking about two of his contemporaries, Red Foley and Lefty Frizzell. Red Foley was a country singer and Grand Ole Opry star who was active from the 1930s to the 1960s. Lefty Frizzell was a country singer and songwriter who was active from the 1940s to the 1970s. It is clear from the quote that Mel Tillis had a good deal of regard for both of these guys, which he was familiar with them both well. He speaks fondly of Lefty Frizzell, calling him a fantastic person. This quote talks to the close-knit nature of the c and w community, and how artists like Mel Tillis, Red Foley, and Lefty Frizzell were able to form strong relationships with one another. It likewise talks to the long lasting tradition of these artists, and how their music continues to affect and inspire generations of c and w fans.